Toy apparatus



March 12, 1946. J. MAIBAUM 2,396,382

' TOY APPARATUS Filed July 1Q, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet l inventor Imam: MAI/3150M Gttomeg March 12, 1946. J." MAIBAUM 2,396,382

, TOY ArrARATUs Filed July 10-, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m ,L- Snnentor TERQME Mn'lfinum attorneg March 12, 1946. J..MA|BAuM 2,396,382

' TOY APPARATUS Filed Juiy 10, 1942 4 Sheets-Sh eet 3 mm w' Zinnentor JEeoM MA 1 IBAUM attorney Patented Mar. 12, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOY APPARATUS Jerome Maibaum, New York, N. Y. Application July 10, 1942, Serial No. 450,481

6 Claims.

This invention relates to toys and toy apparatus and more particularly to educational toys and toy apparatus dealing with miniature mechanical movements and devices composed in part at least of miniature mechanical movements.

One object of the present invention is the provision of toy apparatus to provide for the construction and operation of various miniature mechanical movements and devices formed of or comprising miniature mechanical elements such as, for example, links, linkages, levers, pinions, gears, etc., or various mechanical contrivances formed of or including such mechanical elements or movements or simulated human or animal figures or combinations thereof constructed from or including said mechanical elements or'movements or the equivalents thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a toy of the above indicated character a panel constructed and arranged to permit the assembly and operation thereon of various mechanical movements or contrivances or simulated human or animal figures and further in this connection it is an object of the invention to provide the panel with means capable of being readily connected to such mechanical movements or devices mounted thereon for imparting motion thereto.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a panel of the type indicated above having at the front thereof a plurality of pin receiving recesses arranged radially of a common center along a plurality of angularly displaced radial lines whereby to provide for the mounting at the front of the panel of any one of a plurality of mechanical movements or devices and for connecting said movements or devices to means carried by the panel for imparting motion to said mechanical movements or devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide toy apparatus comprising a plurality of miniature mechanical movements or elements thereof together with means for facilitating the assembly and disassembly of said elements with respect to each other and on the panel on which said elements or devices are mounted for movement.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description considered with reference to the accompanying illustrativedrawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the front of the panel;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1, with parts omitted for the purpose of illustration;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the panel showing a miniature mechanical movement mounted thereon including a link disposed for horizontal movement;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the mechanical movement mounted on the panel, the link being mounted for vertical movement;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of one of the movable elements removed from the panel;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Figs. 7 and 8 are views similar to Fig. 3 showing the mechanical movement, the link being mounted for movement along different diagonal lines, respectively, on the panel;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the mechanical movement comprising two link elements of the type illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view of the panel showing a pendulum-simulating movement mounted thereon;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing a pendulum-simulating movement mounted on the panel in a different position;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary plan view of the panel showing a linkage mounted thereon;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view on the line I 3-l 3 of Fig. 12, the linkage being shown in elevation;

Fig. 14 is a view showing the various pin elements comprised in the toy apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the panel having mounted thereon mechanical movements in the form of pinions and gears;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view of the panel having a simulated engine or motor mounted thereon;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary plan view of the panel having mounted thereon movable simulated human and animal figures;

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the panel having mounted thereon a simulated human figure, illus trating exercising movements of the figure;

Fig. 19 is a view of the panel having mounted thereon two simulated human figures illustrating action in a boxing match;

Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modification;

Fig. 21 is a detail sectional view on the line 2l--2l of Fig. 20.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the toy apparatus of the present invention comprises a panel In on which the various mechanical elements, movements and contrivances are mounted for movement in accordance with the present invention. Said panel may be formed of any suitable material, preferabl non-metallic, such as for example, fiber board, wood, ply wood, masonite, plastics, etc. Also, the other parts of the apparatus are formed preferably of such and other non-metallic materials including, for example, cardboard.

Panel board lll is provided with an opening l2 extending therethrough from the back M of the panel to the front I5 thereof. An arbor I8 is mounted for rotation in opening l2 and has a non-circular end portion 20 projecting forwardly beyond the front surface it of the panel. The opposite end portion 22 of arbor i8 is journalled for rotation in a mounting plate 2 lpositioned at the back of the panel and connected thereto by a pair of spaced shouldered pins 25, the opposite ends of which fit securely within companion openings 28 and 33 in panel ii] and mounting plate 24, respectively. A second arbor 32 is mounted for rotation in an opening 34 in plate 24 and in an opening 36 in panel N3, the forward endportion 38 of said arbor being non-circular and projecting forwardly to the front is of said panel. Pulleys 4i] and 42 are fixed to arbors l8 and 32, respectively, and are connected by a belt til whereby rotation of arbor 32 is effective to cause rotation of arbor it. As illustrated in Fig. 1, a crank handle 46 is connected to the forward end portion 38 of arbor 32 for rotating the same, said crank handle having a non-circular opening 48 in which end portion 38 is received with a removable frictional fit.

A rotary member 5b is positioned at the front of panel I!) and is removably connected to arbor [8 for rotation by the latter. Said member 5!] is provided with a central non-circular opening 52 which receives end portion 28 of arbor l8 removably with a frictional fit. A pin 54 is carried by member 5!! at a point spaced from the center thereof and projects forwardly of the front of the panel. Thus, when arbor 32 is rotated in any suitable way as by turning crank handle 45, member 50 is rotated through the pulley an belt driving mechanism positioned at the back of the panel.

A feature of the present invention resides in providing the panel with a plurality of recesses at the front thereof for receiving pins or equivalent elements such as pivot pins 58, guide or stop pins 58 or combined holdin and pivot pins -39 (Fig. 14) utilized in accordance with the present'invention as hereinafter more specifically described. A plurality of said recesses 62 and 5 3 are arranged in each of a plurality of angularly related radial lines extending outwardly from the center of rotation of member 50. Recesses 62 are preferably of larger diameter than recesses Ed although all of said recesses can be of the same diameter if desired, recesses 62 being intended to receive pivot pins 56 or 60 while recesses 64 are intended to receive guide or stop pins 58. It will be understood that the panel will be provided with a sufficient number of these recesses to receive the maximum number of pins necessary to the construction of the desired mechanical movement or contrivance within the limits of the toy. The radial arrangement of recesses .62 and 64 in respect to the axis of rotation of member 58 provides for the correct location of the pivot and guide pins for mounting the mechanical movement on the panel whereby motion may be imparted to the mechanical movement or device by the rotation of arbor it. In the following parts of the specification various mechanical movements, devices, and contrivances will be referred to and described as illustrative of the devices capable of being associated with panel it in the use of the toy apparatus embodied in the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 3, a link 58 is mounted on the panel and is operatively connected to member the construction of link 56 and its connection with member 5i! being such that rotation of member 5!] is efiective to impart reciprocatory rectilinear movement to link 68 horizontally on panel it. Said link comprises in integral relation a central arm 58 provided with a slot Hi and arms 12 and 1 3 projecting laterally from said central arm 53 and provided with slots 15 and 73, respectively. Link 55 is placed on member 56 with the crank pin 54 of the latter projecting through slot iii, and guide pins 58 received within companion recesses 64 in panel In project through slots it and 18 of arms l2 and it. Accordingly, when member 50 is rotated, crank pin 54 reciprocates in slot '70 of arm 68 of link 66 and cause said link to reciprocate. As here shown, the outer ends of arms 12 and M of link to are provided with circular holes 89 which are not made use of the mechanical movement illustrated in Fig. 3 but which are provided for the purpose of pivotally connecting either or both ends of said link to a companion element of another linkage or device as will subsequently more clearly appear. In Fig. 4 the link 53 is shown mounted on the panel iii for reciprocating motion vertically on said panel. In Figs. 7 and 8 the link is shown mounted on panel if! for reciprocation diagonally on panel it in opposite directions, respectively. In Fig. 9 two links 56 are shown mounted on panel it and operatively mounted to rotate member 5% through crank pin 54 operating in the slots it of both links whereby one link 6'6 reciprocates horizontally on panel it and the other link 65 simultaneously reciprocates vertically on said panel. It will be understood that link 66 can be made of any suitable material, as indicated above, and may be formed of cardboard which is one of said materials.

Fig. 10 illustrates the movement of a pendulum. As here shown, the pendulum-simulatin member 82 is pivotally connected at its upper end to the panel I!) by a pivot pin 56 which is received in one of the recesses 62 of panel ill, the upper end oi member 82 being movable on said pin as a pivot. The arm 84 of member 82 is provided with a longitudinal slot 36 in which the crank pin E ia of the rotary member 58a reciprocates during the rotation of said rotary member. Rotary member 53a is substantially the same as rotary member described above and is connected removably to the end portion 20 of arbor H8 in the same as member 50. As here shown, however, rotary member 50a instead of being circular, has an elliptical contour and is preferably formed of wood or of some other material more durable than cardboard. It will be understood that the rotation of member 50a is effective to impart oscillatory motion to member 82 about the pivot pin provided by pivot pin 56. In Fig. 11 the member 82 is mounted on panel it for oscillatory movement in a vertical direction on panel l0.

Fig. 12 shows a linkage comprising a link all connected at the outer ends of its arms i2 and id to lazy tongs 88 and 95, respectively. Each lazy tong comprises a plurality of short links 92 and a plurality of longer links 94 pivotally connected to each other in a well understood manner. The

short links 92 adjacent the ends of link 66 are pivotally connected to the adjacent ends of said last mentioned link by the pivot and holding pin 96 which is provided at its end with removable heads 98 frictionally fitted on said pin. The outer links er of each lazy tong are pivotally secured to each other at theirinner ends and are pivotally connected to panel I ll by the combined hold ing and pivot pin til, which as shown in Fig. 14, is provided with removable elements 930, corresponding to the heads 98 of pin 96. It will be understood that when member 58 is rotated link 66 is reciprocated and thereby expands one of the lazy tongs and simultaneously contracts the other lazy tong, thus illustrating the conversion of rowell as its fly wheel and of the linkage shown.

tary motion into a plurality of other motions. It

will be understood that links 92 and M can be easily separated from each other for use in some other linkage or device. Said links 92 and fit may be made of cardboard or any other suitable ma.- terial, as indicated above.

Fig. illustrates the provision on panel Ill of a mechanical movement composed of gears and pinions. As here shown, the rotary member 591) is in the form of a gear but is in other respects the same as rotary member 50 and like the latter is removably fitted on the non-circular end portion 2i] of arbor I8 for rotation by the latter. Themotion of gear 5% is transmitted to a plurality of gears Hill by pinion gears I02 each of which meshes with gear 5% and with one of said gears I83. Gears I60 and pinion gears I62 are each journalled for rotation on companion pivot pin 56, removably fixed in panel recesses pose gears I89 would be journalled on pivot pins received in the recesses 62 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 15. Gear 5017 is provided with a crank pin 542) which is not utilized in the mechanical movement illustrated in Fig. 15 but which is provided so that said gear can be used for actuating some other mechanical element or device which may be mounted on panel I0.

In Fig. 16 there is shown a device which simulates the operation of an engine or motor. As here shown, the rotary member 580 which corresponds to rotary member 50 is shaped to simulate a fly wheel. Said rotary member 5G0 is removably connected to the end portion 2!) of rotary arbor l3 in the same Way as rotary member 59 and is provided with a crank pin 540 which is pivotally connected to the outer end of arm I04 of bell crank lever I lit. The other arm Hi8 of bell crank lever IDS is pivotally connected to one end of a connecting rod or link I Iii by the headed pin 96. The other end of link III] is pivotally connected to the outer end of the piston rod H2 by means of a headed pin 95. The piston H4 with which piston rod H2 is integral, is reciprocable in a cylinder-simulating member H5 removably fastened on panel It! by pins 58. Piston rod H2 is provided with a slot H8 in which a pair of pins 53 project for guiding the piston in its reciprocatory motion. Links I26 and I22 are pivotally mounted on pivot pins 56 secured to panel I3 and are, respectively, pivotally connected to the outer end of arm IE8 of bell crank lever I06 and to said bell crank lever between the arms thereof. Thus, when member 590 is rotated, by

Fig. 17 illustrates the use of the toy apparatus of the present invention for providing on anel Ill a mechanical device simulating a man and dog walking. As here shown, the rotary member 50 is connected by a link 66 to the figure I20 simulating a man. Said rotary member 50 is also connected by said link 66 and by an intermediate link I22, to a figure I24 simulating a dog. The man-simulating figure I20 comprises as here shown a torso part I26, arm links I28 pivotally connected thereto by headed pins 96, fore-arm links I30 pivotally connected to arm links I28 by pins 96, thigh links I32 pivotally connected to the lower end of part I26 by a link 96 and legs I34 pivotally connected to thigh links I32 by pins 96. The foot portion I36 of one of the leg links I34 is pivotally engaged on a pivot pin 56 fixed to panel I0. Pins 58 are fixed in the panel to limit movements of the various parts of figure I20 when the latter is actuated. Said figure is actuated by the arm I2 of link (iii, the outer end of said arm being pivotally connected to the figure by the pivot pin 95 which pivotally connects thigh links I32 to the lower end of the torso part I26 of the figure. The dog-simulating figure I24 comprises a body part I38 which is pivoted on a holding and pivot pin 65! secured to the panel. The fore-leg links I453 are pivotally con nected to part I38 by said pin 60. The hind leg links M2 are pivotally connected to part I38 and to link I22 by a holding pin 96. Pins 58 are fixed to panel it in position adjacent the leg links of the figure I2! for limiting the movements of the latter. It will be understood that when member is rotated the figures I28 and I24 are actuated in such fashion as to simulate a man and dog walking. It will be understood that as in each of the other devices described above, the various links and parts are separatable from each other by removing the various holding and pivot pins and that an advantageous feature of the toy apparatus of the present invention resides in the provision for the child or other user of the toy of a plurality of various links, levers, gears, and other devices designed to be assembled to produce the particular mechanical movement, device, or contrivance which the user of the toy desires to construct and operate.

Fig. 18 shows a device designed to illustrate exercising motions of a human figure. As here shown, the figure I44 comprises a torso part I46 embodying the principle of the link 66 described with reference to Fig. 3 and other figures of the drawing. Said part Hi6 comprises slots hi8, I5!) and I52 corresponding, respectively, to slots 18, IE5 and i8 of link 66. The crank pin 54a of the rotary operated member 55a works in slot I43, and guide pins 56 engage part I45 in slots I52. It will be understood that when member Silo is rotated part use is reciprocated vertically on panel Iii in the same manner as the vertical reciprocation of link 66 is affected by rotary member 59 as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 4. Arm links 654 are connected to part I46 at the upper end thereof by pins 96. Said arm links I54 have slots I53 in which guide pins 58 are engaged, said guide pins being fixed to panel I0. When part I46 is reciprocated, arm links I55 are oscillated about the pivots provided by pins 95. Thigh links I58 are pivotally connected to part I46 of the figure at the lower end thereof by pins 96, and the lower ends of links I58 are pivotally connected to the leg links I60 by pins 95. The foot portions 62 of links I66 are pivotally engaged on pivot pins 56 which are fixed to the panel. Thus, when crank arm 46 is rotated vertical reciprocation motion is imparted to torso part Hit of figure 1M and at the same time the arm links 154 and the thigh and leg links I58 and H553, respectively, are moved in simulation of a human figure in the act of performing a wellknown type of exercise.

In Fig. 19 there is illustrated a simulated boxing match participated in by the figures I62 and 164 actuated by a link 68. Each of these figures is of the same construction and comprises a torso part 1% having arm members 33 and HE] pivotally secured thereto by a pin 96. Thigh links H2 and 514 are pivotally secured to torso part E66 of the figure at the lower end of said part by a pin 98, and companion leg links I16 and I78 are pivotally secured to the thigh links by pins 96. The foot portion Hit of leg link H6 is pivotally engaged on a pivot pin 56 while the foot portion liifi is provided with a slot I32 in which a guide pin 58 projects. Pins 58 are provided adjacent arm links E63 and lit for limiting the movements of said arm links when the figure is actuated. The outer ends of arms 72 and M of link 66 are pivotally connected to figures I62 and H56, respectively, for actuating the same by the pins 96 which connect the thigh links I12 and lit to the lower ends of the torso parts of these figures, respectively.

As illustrated in Fig. 20, provision is made for mounting a device it! for movement at the front of panel ill and for actuation of said device directly by arbor i893. Said arbor ltzc is the same as arbor l8 except that it is provided with a recess I82 in which the rod lB l of device 88! is removably secured and thereby mounted on panel H) for rotation by said arbor. As here shown device i8! is in the form of a flag pole and carries a flag I or pennant I85, but it will be understood that some other member or mechanism, for example a centrifugal ball mechanism, may be carried by rod i8 5. It will be understood, also, that arbor i8 may be provided with a recess in the same location as recess I82, and for this reason arbors 53 may be considered as further illustrated in Figs. 20 and 21.

In view of the above description of the various mechanical movements, devices and contrivances which can be mounted on panel It, by assembling various combinations of links and other mechanical elements on said panel for actuation, pursuant to rotation of arbor it which in turn is rotated by crank arm d2: through the pulley and belt arrangement hereinbefore described, it will be understood that the toy apparatus of the present invention is highly flexible and can be varied in numerous respects. It will be understood, of course, that any one of the devices and contrivances illustrated in Figs. 3 to 19, inclusive, can be assembled on the same panel for which purpose a sufficient number of pin-receiving recesses 52 and E i are provided to accommodate the pivot and guide or stop pins required in constructing and operating the various devices on said panel. In the use of the apparatus, after one device is mounted on the panel it can be removed from the panel and taken apart, and thereafter a dif ferent device can be put together on the panel. It will be understood that all of the parts of the panel and of the elements assembled thereon, can be formed of fiat material and that the mechanical elements such as links, gears, wheels, cylinder-simulating parts and the parts of the human and animal simulated figures are or flat planar shape. Finally it will be understood that the various mechanical movements, devices, and contrivances illustrated in the several figures of the drawings are by no means exhaustive of the mechanical movements or devices which may be assembled on the panel for actuation thereon, but on the contrary, it will be understood that numerous other mechanical movements and devices can be assembled and mounted on the panel for actuation pursuant to the rotation of arbor l8. As the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein shown or described, I do not wish to be limited to the present disclosure except to the extent which may be required by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Educational toy apparatus of the character in which a toy panel is provided for the mounting thereon of various stationary and movable toy elements, said panel comprising a panel board having at the front thereof a plurality of recesses open at the front of the panel and adapted to receive said stationary toy elements, said recesses being arranged in radially spaced relation in each of a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial lines in respect to a center point, each line having a complementary line of recesses at right angles thereto, said stationary toy elements comprising pins removably engageable selectively in said recesses at predetermined points spaced radially from said center point in engagement with said movable toy element for controlling its path of movement on said panel board, and a member carried by said panel and mounted for rotation about said center point concentrically therewith and adapted to be operatively connected to the movable toy elements for imparting motion thereto on said panel, there being a greater number of recesses in each of said rows than pins received in the recesses whereby to provide for the adjustable positioning of said pins on said panel board in relation to said center point in any one of said circumferentially spaced radial lines.

2. Educational toy apparatus of the character in which a toy panel is provided for the mounting thereon of various stationary and movable toy elements, said panel comprising a panel board having at the front thereof a plurality of pinreceiving recesses open at the front of the panel and arranged in radially spaced relation in each of a plurality of radial lines in respect to a center point, each line having a complementary line of recesses at right angles thereto, a movable toy element adapted to be mounted on said panel, a pin removably fittable in any one of said recesses and engaging said movable element for positioning the latter in selected predetermined relation to said center point, a member carried by said panel and mounted for rotation about said center point, there being agreater number of recesses in each of said rows than pins received in the recesses whereby to provide for the adjustable positioning of said pins on said panel board in relation to said center point in any one of said circumferentially spaced radial lines, means connecting said member to said movable toy element at the front of said panel for imparting motion thereto, and driving means at the back of said panel for rotating said member.

3. Instructive toy apparatus of the character in which a toy panel is provided for the mounting thereon of various stationary and movable toy elements, said panel comprising a panel board, an arbor mounted for rotation in said panel board and projecting from the back to the front thereof, a driving mechanism carried by said panel at the back thereof for rotating said arbor, a rotary member connected to and rotatable by said arbor at the front of said panel board, said panel having a plurality of recesses open at the front of the panel, and arranged along lines radiating from the arbor axis, each line having a complementary line of recesses at right angles thereto, a movable toy element mounted at the front of said panel and operatively connected to said movable member for movement by the latter, and a pin engaging said movable toy element and removably secured selectively in one of said recesses at the front of the panel for controlling in part at least the path of motion of said movable element.

4. An educational toy comprising a toy panel adapted to support a plurality of relatively movable toy elements, said panel having an opening therethrough, an arbor mounted for rotation in said opening and extending from the back of said panel to the front thereof, means carried by said panel and operatively connected to said arbor at the back of said panel for rotating said arbor, one end of said arbor projecting forwardly beyond the front of said panel, said panel having a plurality of recesses in the front thereof open at the front of the panel and arranged in radially spaced relation in each of a plurality of circumferentially spaced rows extending radially of the axis of rotation of said arbor, each row having a complementary row at right angles thereto for receiving members engageable with parts of said movable toy elements for holding the latter in connected relation, and a rotary member fixed to said end of the arbor for rotation thereby at the front of the panel, and adapted to be operatively connected to said elements for moving the same on said panel, there being a larger number of recesses in each of said rows than members received in said recesses whereby to provide for the adjustable positioning of each of said members in relation to said center point.

5. A diverting educational toy apparatus of the character in which a toy panel is provided for the mounting thereof of various stationary and movable toy elements, said panel comprising a panel board having at the front thereof a plurality of recesses adapted to receive said stationary elements, said recesses beingopen at the front of the panel and being arranged in a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial lines in respect to a center point, each line having a complementary line of recesses at right angles thereto, a member carried by said panel and mounted for rotation about said center point and adapted to be operatively connected to the movable elements for imparting motion thereto on said panel, and a plurality of pins removably receivable in selected recesses of the panel at the front thereof in selectable relation to said toy elements, there being a greater number of recesses in each of said rows than pins received in the recesses whereby to provide for the adjustable positioning of said pins on said panel board in relation to said center point in any one of said circumferentially spaced radial lines.

6. In an educational toy, a panel carrying a crank shaft operating a driving member having a slot in which the crank pin of said crank shaft is engaged, said driving member having a pair of aligned slots at right angles to said first mentioned slot, pins mounted on said panel and engaging said driving member in said last two mentioned slots, respectively, the said panel having rows of recesses radiating from the center of the crank shaft bearing, and each row of recesses having a complementary row at right angles thereto, pins selectively mounted on the panel in certain of said recesses, and toy mechanisms having movable parts readily attachable to certain of said last mentioned pins and to said driving member for operation by said driving member when the latter is operated by said crank shaft.

JEROME MAIBAUM. 

